I totally agree, the discussion is not really hot.jjn9128 wrote: ↑02 Dec 2020, 10:36There is pressure on both. I think less so on Russell, he'll not be expected to perform his very best with one run in the car, just achieve something close to the cars potential. For Bottas, he simply has to beat Russell, no excuses (other than car failure, more punctures, or maybe if the team fluff a pitstop).
The problem is, and I hate to be ‘that guy’ over this but Bottas has had a habit of cracking under extreme pressure.jjn9128 wrote: ↑02 Dec 2020, 10:36There is pressure on both. I think less so on Russell, he'll not be expected to perform his very best with one run in the car, just achieve something close to the cars potential. For Bottas, he simply has to beat Russell, no excuses (other than car failure, more punctures, or maybe if the team fluff a pitstop).
While I dont agree that Ricciardo and Vettel were on the B strategy that weekend in Spain I do agree it is likely Mercedes will favour Bottas for the win, just like Vettel and Ricciardo were indeed.PlatinumZealot wrote: ↑02 Dec 2020, 04:51Possible.. Max won because Riccardo did an extra pitstop. Also the Bulls were easily second fastest with Merc out of tge picture and Ferrari no threat. This weekend the 2nd Mercedes driver will have the worse strategy ans he will be under threat from the RedBulls so it will be a much harder task but very possible that Russel could win...Sieper wrote: ↑02 Dec 2020, 01:30What if Russell gets the seat, which seems to be shaping up as likely, why would he not be able to win straight away. The Merc car is an absolute powerhouse this season. 2014 level. Max did it in similar circumstances against a team mate I rate higher than Bottas and with another team in the Mix. Allthough, in that case, the mercs were out of the mix it has to be said. But then again, those 2015 cars were much more difficult to drive. Much less grip and downforce.
I personally think it quite likely Russell could win. Is that good for Hamilton? Would merc take that into consideration?
extremely good, he was up against 2 dominating Mercs and as good Ferrari's in his first half year in the RBR second year in F1. Yes, the pressure is on Bottas that is very clear.TAG wrote: ↑02 Dec 2020, 03:12How did Max do the rest of that and the subsequent year? You saying that winning one race would prove what? The only one who'd be under pressure to win Sunday would be Bottas.Sieper wrote: ↑02 Dec 2020, 01:30What if Russell gets the seat, which seems to be shaping up as likely, why would he not be able to win straight away. The Merc car is an absolute powerhouse this season. 2014 level. Max did it in similar circumstances against a team mate I rate higher than Bottas and with another team in the Mix. Allthough, in that case, the mercs were out of the mix it has to be said. But then again, those 2015 cars were much more difficult to drive. Much less grip and downforce.
I personally think it quite likely Russell could win. Is that good for Hamilton? Would merc take that into consideration?
Thats my point, the focus is on Russell, but the stakes are high for Bottas. He has to put Russell down hard to keep him away from his seat.Restomaniac wrote: ↑02 Dec 2020, 11:24The problem is, and I hate to be ‘that guy’ over this but Bottas has had a habit of cracking under extreme pressure.jjn9128 wrote: ↑02 Dec 2020, 10:36There is pressure on both. I think less so on Russell, he'll not be expected to perform his very best with one run in the car, just achieve something close to the cars potential. For Bottas, he simply has to beat Russell, no excuses (other than car failure, more punctures, or maybe if the team fluff a pitstop).
Don’t get me wrong Russell isn’t opposed to cock-ups (Austria and more insanely in Italy!). But I put some of that down to him wringing the neck out of the Williams lap after lap.
He won because both Mercs crashed and his non preferred strategy of one stop turned out to be the better strategy, on a track where following and overtaking was impossible for 2016 cars. He did drive very well though. Not everyone can be lucky like that.Sieper wrote: ↑02 Dec 2020, 11:29extremely good, he was up against 2 dominating Mercs and as good Ferrari's in his first half year in the RBR second year in F1. Yes, the pressure is on Bottas that is very clear.TAG wrote: ↑02 Dec 2020, 03:12How did Max do the rest of that and the subsequent year? You saying that winning one race would prove what? The only one who'd be under pressure to win Sunday would be Bottas.Sieper wrote: ↑02 Dec 2020, 01:30What if Russell gets the seat, which seems to be shaping up as likely, why would he not be able to win straight away. The Merc car is an absolute powerhouse this season. 2014 level. Max did it in similar circumstances against a team mate I rate higher than Bottas and with another team in the Mix. Allthough, in that case, the mercs were out of the mix it has to be said. But then again, those 2015 cars were much more difficult to drive. Much less grip and downforce.
I personally think it quite likely Russell could win. Is that good for Hamilton? Would merc take that into consideration?
Wolff thanks 'open-minded' Williams for releasing Russell to Mercedesjjn9128 wrote: ↑02 Dec 2020, 00:42You're just incredibly naive then. F1 is a business and the new owners will see Russell as the greater of their two assets - to a team this is what a driver is - he is the most likely of their 2 drivers to score points which could be worth millions to them if they can beat Haas in the championship. For them to give him up would require something in return - quid pro quo - after all he has a contract to drive for them in 2020 and 2021 that's not slavery but a valid and legal contract between driver and team. In F1 contracts, unless you're Vettel or Hamilton, the power is with the team - they can sack you without recourse but you can't leave without buying the contract out.siskue2005 wrote: ↑02 Dec 2020, 00:23Seriously??? Not everything in the world is brought through financial recompense?!!!? Do you think this is a slave trade in 1800????!!??!?!
(p.s: just borrowing your exclamations and query marks.. without any financial recompense?!!!? )
Yep only being say 1/10th ahead in qualifying and 5 seconds ahead in the race won’t be good enough.mwillems wrote: ↑02 Dec 2020, 11:30Thats my point, the focus is on Russell, but the stakes are high for Bottas. He has to put Russell down hard to keep him away from his seat.Restomaniac wrote: ↑02 Dec 2020, 11:24The problem is, and I hate to be ‘that guy’ over this but Bottas has had a habit of cracking under extreme pressure.jjn9128 wrote: ↑02 Dec 2020, 10:36
There is pressure on both. I think less so on Russell, he'll not be expected to perform his very best with one run in the car, just achieve something close to the cars potential. For Bottas, he simply has to beat Russell, no excuses (other than car failure, more punctures, or maybe if the team fluff a pitstop).
Don’t get me wrong Russell isn’t opposed to cock-ups (Austria and more insanely in Italy!). But I put some of that down to him wringing the neck out of the Williams lap after lap.
I doubt there’s any complexity for BOT; his psychology will be to crush RUS. For sure it will be different as he’s now defacto figurehead, but he’ll be motivated to silence the critics against the one who’s widely talked about as the pilot that should be in that seat.mwillems wrote: ↑02 Dec 2020, 10:25Yes but is the pressure just on Russell? What happens if he outperforms Bottas and is very very close....?214270 wrote: ↑02 Dec 2020, 09:32Here is RUSs opportunity. It’s a clunky fit but that’s just how it is; it’s very rarely smooth when your number gets called up.
RUS may not be familiar with this iteration of racecar but he has done something like 600 laps in Merc machinery since ‘17. He’s been in F1 pretty much 2 seasons now; in a zero-pressure car/environment and he’s been paired against mediocre teammates.
No more excuses. Slap some expectation on his shoulders, let’s see what you’re truly made of. It’s now or never.
Being open minded has nothing to do with not requesting/requiring remuneration.siskue2005 wrote: ↑02 Dec 2020, 11:33Wolff thanks 'open-minded' Williams for releasing Russell to Mercedes
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/arti ... 5m_0KTFZbU
Being open minded has nothing to do with not requesting/requiring remuneration.siskue2005 wrote: ↑02 Dec 2020, 11:33Wolff thanks 'open-minded' Williams for releasing Russell to Mercedes
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/arti ... 5m_0KTFZbU